The Tang Dynasty: A Dynasty in Turmoil

The Tang dynasty rose after the Sui and lasted 291 years, from its founding in 618 to its fall in 907, as enduring as the Han dynasty that rose after the Qin. The Tang was one of the most powerful dynasties in Chinese feudal history. From Emperor Taizong’s “Reign of Zhenguan” to Emperor Xuanzong’s “Kaiyuan Golden Age,” the dynasty’s glory reached its peak. The Tang was also a “kingdom of poetry,” where gifted poets shone like stars and exchanged verses freely, fully expressing the romance and elegance of Chinese culture. After the An Lushan Rebellion, eunuchs seized power and regional military governors carved up the empire, and the Tang’s strength steadily declined. In the end, as warlords such as Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rose up, Zhu Wen seized the opportunity to establish the Later Liang, bringing Tang history to a close.